Majoring in Chemistry at Etown College
Chemistry helps us understand the world around us, giving us answer to how the physical world interacts with itself. Foundational breakthroughs in areas like pharmaceuticals and medicine are all driven by the study and mastery of chemistry. From understanding how medicines will interact to cooking breakfast, chemistry is at the base of our everyday life.
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
The Chemistry major at Elizabethtown College includes coursework in biology, physics, mathematics and computing, and is excellent preparation for a variety of careers in chemistry. All majors in the Department will complete faculty-supervised research as a part of their capstone experience.
For students looking to study healthcare professions after graduating, such as Pre-Medicine, Pre-Veterinary Medicine, Pre-Pharmacy, or Pre-Dentistry, a major in Chemistry makes a great starting point for the foundational knowledge needed to complete those post-graduate areas of study!
The Department of Chemistry at Etown College offers five concentrations within the Chemistry major to ensure students are equipped to pursue the educational or professional career path they are interested in.
From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Taking students beyond the Etown classroom
James MacKay, Associate Professor of Chemistry, broadens horizons through research
For some students it can be hard to fully grasp what comes beyond college. They could take on an internship, go directly into the workforce or continue their education. At Elizabethtown College, chemistry students have the opportunity to work with professors and staff members to explore what is available after graduation, before they graduate. This guidance is the purpose behind James MacKay’s recent Winter Break workshop at Binghamton University in New York State. Students volunteered for this trip to work in a lab focused on ribonucleic acid research and learn advanced lab techniques. Additionally, the Etown students had the opportunity to experience grad school while still undergraduates.
“The goal is to expose students to as much exciting science as possible.”
American Chemical Society (ACS) concentration
This concentration prepares students for graduate school, careers in the medical field (dental, medical, vet, etc.), or for a career in industrial or government laboratories. Especially important in this concentration are advanced laboratory courses, senior-level courses in advanced inorganic and advanced organic chemistry, and the individual research project. The American Chemical Society (ACS) concentration is accredited by the the American Chemical Society's Committee on Professional Training.
Chemical Physics
The Chemical Physics concentration provides a solid background in chemistry with added emphasis in physics and physical chemistry. This emphasis is largely in quantum chemistry, and the theoretical study of molecular behavior based on the laws of physics. This allows students to study the properties of matter through theoretical and computational means. This concentration is best suited for someone interested in going to graduate school and specializing in theoretical chemistry.
Chemistry Management
By integrating foundation business and economics courses with a strong chemistry curriculum, this concentration prepares students for sales or management positions within the chemical, medical, and related industries. Many students pursuing this concentration will still elect to conduct independent research to further increase their marketability when they enter the workforce.
Chemistry Secondary Education
Want to inspire young learners into a lifelong education in the sciences? This track prepares students for a path of teaching chemistry at the secondary (grades 7-12) level. In addition to completing key education courses, the chemistry secondary education program merges sound foundational courses in the sciences (including biology, physics, and math) with a rigorous curriculum in chemistry. Furthermore many students complement their student teaching requirements with optional independent research or study abroad to make themselves even more competitive in the teaching arena. See additional academic information on the Secondary Education concentration in Chemistry.
Chemistry B.S. Catalog Information
Chemistry Minor
Students majoring in another discipline are able to add a minor in Chemistry to their studies. Whether you're majoring in another STEM field or not, our minor is very flexible and compliments many different areas of study.
| Students in our program have completed internships at: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Eurofins Lancaster Labs | Glaxo Smith Kline | |
| Berks County Crime Lab | Vermont State Department of Agriculture |
After Graduation
We understand that many students studying Chemistry have intentions of pursuing continued education after completing their chemistry degree. Our graduates are ready for both the workforce and continued education after the competition of their degree.
Where do our graduates go?
40%
into workforce
30%
enter graduate school
30%
enter professional school
A degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology will prepare you for graduate programs as well as the professional world.
| Recent graduates from our program now work as: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Research scientist – Sloan Kettering Cancer Center | Research Technician – Johns Hopkins University | Project Manager – Sommer Consulting |
| Forensic Chemist – Michigan and Pennsylvania State Police Laboratories | High School Chemistry Teacher – Steelton-Highspire School District | Outreach Coordinator – Science in Motion at Juniata College |
| Graduate schools attended include: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Penn State College of Medicine | University of Michigan | University of Florida |
| University of Buffalo | Temple University | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine |
| University of Delaware | West Virginia University | Binghamton University |
| University of Pennsylvania | Vanderbilt University | University of Arizona |
| Emory University | Villanova University: Charles Widger School of Law | Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine |